PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 31 



Mi\ ^\'m. >. Curpentor. — Tlie roots of tlio trees sliould be cut ofT to abi)ut 

 tell iiiclies eacli siile the tree before it is planted. The roots sliouhl be well 

 Kpreinl out and the earth placetl round all the roots with the lingers; it is 

 useless to use water; the earth should be well pulverized, and the trees 

 should be mulched with litter. I received some choice trees and plants from 

 France; these trees had been packed two months, and I was surprised on 

 openinj:^ the boxes to find the trees in perfect order. Among' them wero 

 some Kh«nl<>dendrons and Mag-nolias. These plants were in splendid con- 

 dition. They were in full blossom. The roots were well packed in moss, 

 which had been slightly moistened. The subject of ])acking trees is an 

 important one and is hardly known among^ our nurserymen. 



The Secretary cntjuired how they were packed ? 



Mr. Win. S. Carpenter. — They came in a larjjc bo.K, the roots closely 

 packed with moss at each end of the box ; the tops of the trees were 

 towards the center, and were loose. 



Mr. Geo. Bartlett said that, in planting- a great numl)er of trees, he had 

 been most successful in the following practice: When the tree is placed in 

 tlie hole it is held in position by one man, while another pours two pails of 

 water in, and immediately sifts in line soil, previously prepared. The water 

 causes it to pack so firmly about the roots that the tree will stand without 

 staking- better than with stakes if planted dry, and, what is better, never 

 fails to live. That is the way I would plant those which the Chairmau 

 supposes will be somewhat dried up wlien he gets them. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — I think the ideas advanced by 3Ir. Carpenter arc 

 correct. I consider it very important that the soil should be well prepared, 

 it is necessary that the branches slu)uld be shortened also; in very dry 

 weather I use a little water; the earth should be well packed round the 

 root.s. 



Mr. Geo. Bartlett. — 1 fully concur in the mode of pruning the roots and 

 tops, but my plan is to dig the hole large, and, after putting in the tree, I 

 pour two pails of water into the hole and sift the well-putverized <;arth 

 round the tree; by this means I have always been successful with the trees 

 I have set out. 



Hard Soap for Family Use. 



Mrs. Mary A. Walker writes tlu.* following letter from Burlington, Vt. : 

 *' I have notiecd in your reports of the Farmers' Club that occasionally 

 you favfircd the ladies and kindly lent a helping hand whenever they asked 

 for information. And now, don't turn a deaf ear just because this commu- 

 nication does not come from a man, upon grape culture, jM)tato rot, or moon 

 thef)ries. Do you not know, fathers, that of the 200,000 th;it listen weekly 

 to your words, nearly f>nc-half are females, and, of course, they watch 

 oagerly for anything which will benefit them. In short, as letters must bo 

 brief, we want to know how to make hard soap. Farmers' wives all liave 

 a will, and would it not be a luxury for them to make and lay by for the 

 365 days 100 pounds of white hard soap ? Remember that for every pound 

 of hard soap we buy wo have to pay 28 cents. So please donate a part of 

 a session to us." 



